Location: Assisi
Top Things to do in Assisi
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The 10 Best Free Things to do in Assisi, Umbria
Best known as the birthplace of St. Francis, Italy's patron saint, Assisi lies amid Umbria's rolling hills. Religious pilgrims have come here for centuries to visit the Basilica of San Francesco (where St. Francis is buried) and the Basilica of Santa Chiara (to see the tomb of St. Clare). Visit the Eremo delle Carceri to see caves where medieval hermits withdrew from the world. (You may find such solitude quite appealing—especially if you're here on a daytrip from Rome!)
Restaurants in Assisi
1. San Damiano
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,244 reviews
The church of San Damiano was restored by St. Frances of Assisi and later served as home for St. Clare.
Reviewed By GreenInsights - Perth, Australia
Quite a pilgrimage walk to get there if following the signs from near St Clare’s Basilica but gorgeous views on the way and steps or ramp to walk on. Once there a self guided tour through the sacred spaces where St Clare and her sisters lived, worked and prayed and where St Francis wrote hie famous Canticle to Creation. It is definitely worth the effort to get there !
2. Eremo delle Carceri
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,278 reviews
The retreat high in the mountains above Assisi where St. Francis frequently stayed to meditate and pray.
Reviewed By jmaiaf
Quiet, forested retreat. Wander about, watch for short doorways (!), sit, breathe Views are wondrous.
3. Basilica Papale e Sacro Convento di San Francesco d'Assisi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8,825 reviews
Reviewed By KatrinaMolini - Corciano, Italy
I love the Basilica and Assisi in general. We always bring our guests here and they like it a lot. It’s the best to enter the Basilica from the Lower Square (or Plaza). You have to wear a modest outfit (covered shoulders is a must) and keep silence at all times. There are some covers (one time use) at the entrance. There is no fee to visit the Basilica. After entering the Basilica via Lower Church, visit the Tomb of St. Francis of Assisi and proceed to the Cloister of Sixtus IV and the Upper Church (or Upper Basilica and exit to the Upper Square and from here visit the city of Assisi. We also visited the free treasury museum, which is located on the upper level in the cloister. On the same level there is a gift shop too. It’s quite big and sells a huge variety of items. They also usually have some temporary exhibitions in the cloisters. Very interesting. My favorite part though is in the upper church of basilica- the colorful ceiling and Giotto’s frescoes that tell the story of St. Francis of Assisi. Always a pleasure to admire the artworks like that and the architecture of the complex. You will enjoy even if you are not religious. This landmark in the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
4. Assisi Galleria 6C
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 146 reviews
Art Gallery Raffaele Ariante
5. Museo della Porziuncola
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,893 reviews
Reviewed By GreenInsights - Perth, Australia
A feature inside and out in the courtyard is an extensive display of wonderful nativity scenes from all over the world. Fun for all ages. Great gift shop too
6. Cripta di San Francesco
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 119 reviews
Reviewed By GreenInsights - Perth, Australia
Several flights of stairs to descend and later ascend before you are in the spiritual centre of Assisi where St Francis is buried along with some of his early friars from the 13th century
7. Basilica Superiore di San Francesco d' Assisi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 334 reviews
Reviewed By Elgiecg - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Church is rich in history, the scenic View was awesome and very privileged to have visited the Basilica. Saint Francis was born and died in Assisi.
8. Centro Storico di Assisi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By BearH928 - Williamsburg, United States
This area at Christmas has a life size Nativity scene. Worth the stop as you visit the basilica. Consider that Francis is credited with starting the custom of setting up Nativity creches in the churches in Italy
9. Basilica di Santa Chiara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,421 reviews
Built onto the original Chapel of St. George, this Cathedral is where St. Clare of Assisi was buried in a crypt in 1872.
Reviewed By chatwinesque - Lisbon, Portugal
Behind an unremarkable exterior, the inside of this basilica is surprisingly beautiful - austere, with a few fading beautiful frescoes and the famous "talking" crucifix, an Orthodox-like piece of art worth the visit in itself, and the tomb of Saint Claire in the crypt.
10. Piazza del Comune
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 852 reviews
This lively and well-preserved square is the heart of Assisi's social, cultural and political life.
Reviewed By BearH928 - Williamsburg, United States
Right across from the church of Maria sopra Minerva there is an excellent stationary store with great selection of note cards and local maps. It is in the shop with the tile sign advertising the local bicycle touring club
